Glossary · Robotics
Robot arm
Also known as: Arm
German: Roboterarm
In robotics, a robot arm is the chain of links and joints of a manipulator that positions the wrist, and with it the end effector, in space; in everyday usage the term often refers to the whole manipulator including the wrist.
- Robotics
In one sentence
A robot arm is the chain of links and joints that positions the wrist and tool; in everyday use, often the whole manipulator.
Example
The robot arm moves the wrist into position over the fixture; the three wrist axes then orient the welding torch.
How it applies
- Engineering: In ISO 8373 terms the arm positions and the wrist orients; together they form the Manipulator. On a six-axis robot, axes 1 to 3 belong to the arm and 4 to 6 to the wrist.
- Operation: The moving arm defines the hazardous area; anyone in its range during automatic operation is at risk even outside the tool's working area.
- Documentation: The documentation team should decide whether robot arm means the whole manipulator or only the arm without wrist, and apply it consistently in illustrations, spare parts and translations.
Robot arm vs. manipulator
Manipulator is the standard term for the complete mechanical unit. Robot arm is widely used for the same thing but, strictly, excludes the wrist.